Navajo County Divorce Records

Divorce decrees in Navajo County come from the Superior Court Clerk in Holbrook. The clerk office keeps all final divorce decrees for cases filed in Navajo County. You can get copies by visiting the office at 100 East Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook, calling them at (928) 524-4188, or sending a written request by mail. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fees include 50 cents per page for copies and certification costs that vary based on the type of document. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for all Superior Court cases in the county. Online case search tools help you find case numbers before you request records. Navajo County has served residents since its formation and maintains divorce files going back many decades.

Navajo County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of the Superior Court manages all divorce decree records for Navajo County. This office is in Holbrook at the Superior Court building. Michael Sample serves as the Clerk of Court. His office is responsible for filing, storing, and providing access to divorce decrees. When a judge signs a final decree dissolving a marriage, the clerk files it as part of the official court record.

The clerk office handles many duties. It processes new divorce filings. It maintains case files. It issues certified copies of decrees. It answers questions about fees and procedures. The office also issues marriage licenses, though that is a separate function from divorce records. The clerk does not give legal advice. Staff can explain how to request records but cannot tell you how to fill out legal forms or what your rights are in a divorce case.

You can learn more about the clerk office at navajocountyaz.gov/200/Clerk-of-the-Court. The page lists office hours, contact details, and basic information about services. For marriage and divorce records, the direct phone line is (928) 524-4188. This number connects you to staff who handle these specific records.

Holbrook is centrally located in Navajo County. The courthouse is on South Highway 77. Parking is available near the building. If you plan to visit in person, go during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Bring photo identification and any case information you have such as names, dates, or case numbers.

Request Divorce Decrees in Navajo County

There are three main ways to get divorce decree records from Navajo County. The first is an in-person visit. Go to 100 East Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook. Tell the clerk staff what case you need. Provide the case number if you have it. If not, give the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. The clerk will search the files and make copies for you. You pay the fees and receive the documents the same day in most situations.

Mail requests also work. Send a letter to P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Include the case number or enough details for the clerk to find the case. State whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include your return mailing address. Send a check or money order for the fees. It helps to call first at (928) 524-4188 to confirm the exact amount. Processing time for mail requests is usually five to ten business days after the clerk receives your payment.

Phone requests are possible for some purposes. Call (928) 524-4188 during business hours. You can ask about fees, verify case details, or get instructions. Some documents may be ordered by phone if you pay with a credit card. The clerk staff will explain what information they need and what options are available for your situation.

For general public records requests not related to marriage or divorce, Navajo County has a separate process. Visit navajocountyaz.gov/207/Public-Records-Request for information about other types of county records. Divorce decrees go through the clerk of court, not the general public records office.

Cost of Navajo County Divorce Decree Copies

Navajo County charges $0.50 per page for photocopies. A standard divorce decree is often 5 to 15 pages. This means an uncertified copy of the decree itself costs between $2.50 and $7.50. If you need additional documents from the case file like settlement agreements or financial affidavits, the per-page fee applies to those as well.

Certification fees vary. The clerk office can tell you the current cost when you call. Certification adds a raised seal and the clerk's signature to the document. This proves it is an official court record. Banks, government agencies, and some employers require certified copies. If you only need the record for personal reference, an uncertified copy is usually enough and saves you the certification fee.

If you do not know the case number, there may be a search fee. The clerk must spend time looking through records to locate your case. Call the office at (928) 524-4188 to ask about search fees before you submit a request. If you use the online case search tool first and find the case number yourself, you can avoid this extra charge.

Mailing costs apply if you want documents sent to you. The clerk office will tell you the postage and handling fee when you request records. This covers the cost of the envelope, stamps, and staff time to process your mail request. Total cost for a certified copy by mail might be $40 to $50 depending on the number of pages and current fees.

Search Navajo County Cases Online

The Arizona Public Access system includes Navajo County Superior Court cases. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and select Navajo County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows basic case information like the filing date, case type, and current status. This is a free service available to anyone.

The online search does not show the full text of divorce decrees. It gives you case details and sometimes a list of documents in the file. To get the actual decree, you must request it from the clerk office and pay the applicable fees. The search helps you find the correct case number, which makes the request process faster and may save you from paying a search fee.

Navajo County also provides information about court forms at navajocountyaz.gov/761/Court-Forms. This page has links to forms you might need if you are filing a new divorce or responding to one. It does not provide record copies. For past divorce decrees, contact the clerk office directly.

Note: Online searches may not include very old cases or records that have not been digitized yet.

How to Reach the Navajo County Clerk

The physical address is 100 East Code Talkers Drive, South Highway 77, Holbrook, AZ 86025. The mailing address is P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025. The main clerk phone number is (928) 524-4000. For marriage and divorce records specifically, call (928) 524-4188. The fax number is (928) 524-4261. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Holbrook is in north-central Arizona along Interstate 40. The town is about 90 miles east of Flagstaff and 30 miles west of the New Mexico border. The courthouse is easy to find from the highway. If you are traveling from another city, allow time for the drive since Navajo County covers a large area.

For recording information and other county services not related to court records, Navajo County has additional contact points. Visit navajocountyaz.gov/578/Recording-Information-Contacts for details. But for divorce decrees, always contact the Clerk of the Superior Court at the numbers listed above.

Contents of Navajo County Divorce Decrees

A divorce decree is the final court order that dissolves a marriage. The judge signs it after reviewing the case. In Arizona, the legal term is "decree of dissolution of marriage." The decree states that the marriage is ended. It lists both spouses by name and gives the date of the marriage and the date it is dissolved.

If the couple has minor children, the decree includes custody and parenting time provisions. Arizona law uses "legal decision-making" instead of custody. The decree says who makes important decisions for the child such as those about school, medical care, and religion. It also has a parenting time schedule showing when each parent has the child. Child support terms appear in the decree including the amount, payment schedule, and how long support continues.

Property division is detailed. The decree lists who gets the family home, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, and other assets. Debts are assigned to one spouse or split between them. If one spouse will pay spousal maintenance, the decree states the amount and duration. Everything in the decree is legally binding. Both spouses must follow its terms or risk being held in contempt of court.

The case file includes more than the final decree. It starts with the petition for dissolution filed by one spouse. The other spouse files a response. There may be temporary orders for support or custody while the case is pending. Financial affidavits show each person's income and expenses. If the couple settled, the settlement agreement is in the file. If they went to trial, there may be transcripts or minute entries from court hearings. All these documents together form the complete divorce record.

Divorce Assistance in Navajo County

DNA People's Legal Services offers free legal help to eligible low-income residents in Navajo County. They handle family law cases including divorce. Their offices serve northern Arizona and parts of the Navajo Nation. Call to see if you qualify for assistance. They can help with filing, responding to a divorce, or modifying an existing decree.

Arizona Court Help at azcourthelp.org provides self-help resources. The website has step-by-step instructions for divorce cases. You can find forms, fill them out online, and print them. The site also explains court rules and procedures. It is free to use and available any time.

The Navajo County Superior Court may have a self-service center. These centers are common at Arizona courthouses. Staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal advice. They help you understand what forms you need and where to file them. Check with the clerk office to see if this service is available in Navajo County.

If you have specific legal questions, consult a private attorney. The State Bar of Arizona has a referral service that can connect you with family law lawyers in your area. Some attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations. Legal aid groups are another option if you meet their income requirements.

Who Can Access Divorce Decrees

Divorce decrees are public records in Arizona. Anyone can request and view them. You do not have to be one of the spouses. You do not need to state a reason for your request. The clerk office provides copies to any person who asks and pays the fee. This is part of the open records principle for court documents.

Some cases are sealed. If a court order seals the case, you cannot access it without permission. Sealed cases are rare. Most divorce files are open. Information about minor children may be redacted in some situations. Financial account numbers might be blocked to prevent identity theft. But the basic decree and most documents are public.

If you are not sure whether a case is sealed, ask the clerk office. They can tell you if the file is available or restricted. If a case is sealed, you need a court order to view it. Talk to a lawyer if you believe you have a legal right to see a sealed case.

Communities in Navajo County

Navajo County includes several towns and communities. The county seat is Holbrook, where the Superior Court and clerk office are located. Other towns include Show Low, Winslow, and Pinetop-Lakeside. None of these cities have populations over 50,000. All divorce cases for Navajo County residents are handled by the Superior Court in Holbrook regardless of which town they live in.

If you live anywhere in Navajo County and need a divorce decree, you must contact the clerk office in Holbrook. There are no satellite offices for divorce records. The central clerk office serves the entire county. Your home address within the county does not change where records are kept or how you request them.

Neighboring County Divorce Records

Navajo County shares borders with several other Arizona counties. If you are unsure which county handled your divorce, consider these neighbors. Apache County is to the east with the clerk office in St. Johns. Coconino County is to the west with the clerk in Flagstaff. Gila County is to the south with the clerk office in Globe.

Each county keeps only its own divorce records. Arizona has no central statewide database of all divorce decrees. You must request records from the county where the case was filed. If you do not know which county, use the Arizona Public Access search tool to locate the case before you contact a clerk office.